A Reformist version
of being proud of
being a Dawoodi
Bohra!!
An article was circulated by various
people about being a Bohra. Here is a
slightly edited, Reformist version of the
article.
In many ways, the Dawoodi Bohra
worship is like other Muslims, but in
others are unique.
Educated, hardworking, honest, patriotic,
colorful and out going, living with the
times, yet proudly Gujraatis.
Observing the Holy Day of Ashura in
different parts of the world each year has
made most Bohras travel around the
world, exposing them to different
cultures and different tunes.
The Bohra cuisine boasts of the
Rajesthani, Gujraati and Moghul cooking
and is the best of Indian foods.
Bohras are the only Muslims with the
Muslim Calendar and had the forsight by
banning smoking the day tobacco was
discovered 400 hundred years ago.
The Only Translation of the Holy Quran
in English, approved by the authority
of the Al-Azhar University, is by the
renowned Bohra, Yusufali.
The President of the British Chamber
of Commerce, Gulam Noon, of India, is
a Bohra, the first non-white, non-
Christian in 300 years history of its
existence. So was the ex-finance secretary
of the European Union at Brussels,
Bashir Khanbhai
of Tanzania.
The City of Nairobi was started by
a Bohra, Jivanjee, who also started the
first newspaper in East Africa (which is
now run as the 'Standard'). His statue is
still kept by the Government of Kenya in
the Jiwanjee Gardens in Nairobi. The
Bohras were the first Indians in the
world to venture out of India almost 400
years back and live in the hinterland of
Africa, and as far away as China, and for
many decades now in
the Americas.
All this from only a million of us today!
page 8 paAZAD February 2007
Obituaries
Esmail
Adamali
Master
Passed away peacefully 15th June, 2006
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a Uttle bit - but not too long
And not with your head bowed low,
Remember the love that we once shared
Miss me - but let me go.
Zehra Noorani
AZAD would like to convey condolences to
Mr. Luqmani on the demise of his sister
Zehra Noorani on 28 November 2006 and
to the Kirefu family on the demise of Mrs.
Shirin Kadibhai on Sunday 24th September
in Orlando, Florida.
May Allah grant their souls peace and Jannat.
Iqbal Hussain
Iqbal Hussain is the brother of Mansoor
Hussain, a member of the Regional
Committee in the USA.
His loss is irreparable for all of us, his
family and the entire community. The only
consolation is that God gave us a chance
to meet such a nice man however short
that was. I will not say good bye to you
Iqbal because you may not be physically
here but your soul will be omnipresent
amongst us.
Your Friend, Debi Mukherjee
Shreveport, LA
Visit the Dawoodi Bohra Reformist website for news and views
on Reformist activities: http://www.dawoodi-bohras.com
and friends: http://www.dawoodi-bohras.org.uk/friends
AZAD is a self financing newsletter. It is published by the Dawoodi Bohra Welfare Society
(registered charity no. 272508). Editor: Haki Kapasi, 25 Abbey Road, Smethwick, West Midlands B67 5RA.
Telephone 0121 429 3202 Fax 0121 429 8835 E-mail haki@inspire.eu.com.
The views expressed are entirely those of the authors and may not reflect those of the editor or publisher.
Important Dates
AGM of Society
But they deny the truth when it comes to them
3rd June 2007 So they are in a confused state.
Do they not look at the sky above them?
How We have made it and adorned it,
Eid Function 2007 and there are no flaws in it?
14th October 2007
And they earth - We have spread it out,
and set thereon mountains standing firm,
Issue No. 41 February 2007
Go away for weekends,go away for and produced therein every kind of
holidays, book your weddings, book beautiful growth (in pairs).
your driving lessons,book you family
To be observed and commemorated
functions but keep the above DATES by every devotee turning to Allah.
FREE for the SOCIETY.
Ashura
The UK organised a national Ashura
day on Sunday 28 January 2007. This
was the first Ashura day in many
years and was a great success. ■ Nawaaz hosts the Eid function
Read all about it and Ashura's from
around the world in the next issue
of AZAD.
Eid function
We’ve moved! ■ Night time in Mecca T his year's Eid function was a joint
effort between branches, especially
Murtaza and Mefuza Lokat have moved Leicester and Birmingham. This is the
house. Their new address is first time in a long time that Branches
Umrah trip April 2006
have worked together to organise the
Murtaza & Mefuza Lokat function, and the result was good.
87 Wyngate Drive, Leicester LE3 0UW
Tel: 0116 247 0361 A group of 23 people set off for Our trip started in Jordon and to our continued on page 5...
Umrah on the 14th of April. Prior surprise we got a chance to perform
to going it was very stressful as our visas Ziyarat of Shoebalayhi salaam. We visited
For UK local and national news visit
www.dawoodi-bohras.org.uk
and to add yourself to the address
were not confirmed until just 2 days before
our departure! For most of us this was a
trip of a lifetime and for some this was the
only chance of going. The ages in the
the caves which are mentioned in Suratul
Khaff and now it's more interesting to
recite the verses.
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
book. The address book group ranged from 12 years to about 70 continued on page 2...
is international so, years, the majority of which were women.
even if you live • Umrah trip 2006
outside of the UK,
please fill in your
• Letter to Kenya
details and
send them in
• Bohra Women
take action
• 1986 Bohra Reformist
Trust Annual Report
and Accounts
• Eid Function
• Sorry we missed you!!
Umrah Trip
...continued from front page
From Jordon we went to Medina
Munawara, and despite traveling most of
the night everyone was so eager to visit
Masjidun Nabawi. What a sight - the
masjid is so majestic and peaceful. Here
lies the grave of the Prophet Sallallahu
Alayhi Wassallam. The men are allowed to
touch the zari of the prophet but the
women have to keep their distance just as
Janatul Baki is out of bounds for women.
We also visited all the other masjids or
what's left of them.
From Medina we went on to Mecca,
one could sense the excitement of the
forthcoming Umrah. The first sight of
Kaaba literally takes your breath away.
Our Umrah was performed easily with
no problems. We also visited Mina, Mount
Arafat, Muzdalifa and the Jamarats.
The whole trip was very spiritual as well as
enjoyable. We completed our Umrah and
Ziyarats under the guidance of
Saifudinbhai and Salmaben Painter and
Khatijabai Kapasi. Our sincere thanks to all
three. But a big thank you to Haki Kapasi
who instigated and organized this trip.
To everyone who hopes to go for Hajj or
Umrah, do it now, it's more enjoyable
when you are younger. Let's hope the next
group will be ready soon- inshaallah.
Afra Sulemanji (13)
Leicester, UK
page 2 paAZAD February 2007
Letter to Sheikh Husseinbhai Hebatullah in Kenya
would like to bring to your
I attention that after the sudden
and untimely death of my Beloved wife
Rubeena Mandviwalla on 30th July 2006,
you decided upon yourself to announce
the expulsion of certain members of the
Bohra community including my in-laws
who attended the funeral.
At first, you have no right whatsoever to
deny a Muslim to attend the funeral of
another Muslim sister or brother, so all
the Muslim brothers and sisters through
out Kenya would like to know the basis
of your decision of expelling these
community members, which you can not
deny as this was done at a community
gathering.
In view of your decision to expel
community members who associated
or participated in the funeral of my
Beloved wife, I would like to inform you
that some people from your inner core
circle also visited our home the very
same morning to convey their condolences.
According to them and by your Jamat
views, they knew that they should not
have come to our house. The reason
I am informing you of their visit is
because your decision of picking on a
few individuals and not all those who
participated in grieving with my children
and I. Everyone should be then expelled
from the community and the names
announced in public at a community
gathering just like it was done for my
in-laws and some other friends who
of course in the eyes of Allah SWA,
were merely performing their obligatory
duties.
I can start giving you many examples
and hadiths of our Beloved Prophet
(PBUH) in relation to attending funerals
of Muslim brothers and sisters and the
obligations we have during this time
with the family of the bereaved, but
I truly and humbly believe you are not
ignorant of these facts and so I will not
want to show any disrespect to you as a
community elder who has been
appointed by His Holiness to run the
affairs of the Bohra community with
harmony and due respect within the
Muslim and other communities here
in Kenya.
The reason I have taken my stand of not
participating in the community affairs
has nothing to do with my personal faith
and belief in His Holiness,but has
everything to do with the people
running the local Jamat affairs and abuse
of office, namely yourself, your family
members and your inner circle associates
who believe in undermining, suppressing
and extorting money from the poor
members of this community.
My late father who gave his entire life to
the community was a humble and
honest man, but just because he kept in
contact with his blood brother who was
expelled from the community by you
and your associates, my father was also
expelled from the community for
sometime and was only accepted back in
the community after begging for more
than six months at your Jamat offices.
The humiliation and pain that he went
through at the time was so much that he
fell ill that eventually led to his death.
I swore from that day that I would never
go through the same humiliation my
another human being especially from
someone who is supposed to look after
the community members and not
humiliate them or suppress them.
I will return back to the community, the
day when you and your associates will
resign and step down from office, which
is very unlikely, the way things have been
going for the past 40 years.
In the name of Allah SWA, I beg you to
repent and realise your mistakes and
inshallah Allah SWA will forgive you for
your sins. Allah SWA is most forgiving
and beneficent.
Your brother in Islam.
Arif Mandviwalla
Son of The late Ismail Mandviwalla
(Mombasa)
Kenya
Seyedna illegally transfer contributions from Tanzania visit
From Tanzania Daima newspaper
Friday, 25th August, 2006
The followers of Bohora Community reveal
the truth on compulsory contributions for
the spiritual leader. Billions of shillings are
being taken out of the country through the
spiritual leader Dr. Syedna Mohammed
Burhanuddin.
The investigations carried out by the
Daily Newspaper "Tanzania Daima"
revealed that there are complaints from
members of the Bohora community who
are not satisfied by the explanations given
on their contribution which are eventually
transferred out of the country.
The followers claim that all those who
question the legacy on these contributions
are sacked from the community or are
sidelined. These contributions are
transferred out of the country without
the Bank's approval and that the spiritual
leader who is treated as a V.I.P. is not
checked during the departure, hence
carries the money with him.
Last week when the spiritual leader arrived
at the Mwalimu Nyerere International
Airport, he was met by Government
officials, religious leaders and the Bohora
community. The Vice Chairman of the
Bohora Community in Tanzania, Zainudin
Adamjee said about 6,000 followers turned
up at the airport to welcome him.
Our investigations reveal that, in 1967,
the first phase Government under
Mwalimu Nyerere deported
Dr. Burhanuddin from Tanzania because
of illegal transfer of funds.
Most followers regret the coming of their
spiritual leader to Tanzania because they
are forced to contribute large amounts of
cash. For example this time, a follower
who wants to see him must pay USD 650
(Shs.854,000/-).
The dollar now is equivalent to Shs. 1,300.
For children who want to see him, their
parents must pay Shs. 100,000/- each.
Those who want to invite Dr. Burhanuddin
to their residences must pay USD 152,000
(equivalent to Shs. 197m). However, when
you invite him to your residence, don't
expect him to eat or to spend a night,
instead he only stays for five minutes only
to bless you and your family.
It has been revealed that when he landed
at the Mwalimu Nyerere International
Airport, those who went to welcome him
and shake hands were required to pay
USD 1000 (equivalent to Shs.1.3m).
Dr. Burhanuddin this time also went for
hunting and all those who accompanied
him were required to pay USD 3,000
(equivalent to Shs. 4m).
In reality, a lot of money was collected
from followers who came from all over
Tanzania including those from Kenya.
All this money was illegally exported to
India. Most followers claim that they
would not have complained if the money
collected would have been used to build
schools or hospitals.
In order to strengthen the Bohora
leadership in the Regions, leaders have
been brought from India and they are
called "Amir Saheb". These leaders are
in Dar es salaam, Tanga, Moshi, Zanzibar,
Morogoro and Mwanza.
The followers in those areas are required
to contribute large sums of money to pay
for their salaries and other fringe benefits.
We have also been told that the followers
who question on how the contributions are
spent are sacked from the Community.
Mwalimu Nyerere deported
Dr. Burhanuddin from Tanzania because
of illegal transfer of money leaving
Tanzanians poor. Mr Adamjee agrees that
Dr. Burhanuddin was deported by Mwalimu
but was later allowed to visit Tanzania
in 1972.
In the internet which we have read, most
followers blame Mwalimu Nyerere for
deporting their spiritual leader and calling
him a thief. The followers have openly
indicated their hatred to the late Mwalimu
Nyerere.
Dr. Burhanuddin is the 52nd leader of the
Bohora Community. He was born on 6th
March, 1915 at Surat, Gujarat, India.
He was appointed by his father to be the
future leader of the Bohora Community
when he was only 19 years old. His family
is one of the richest in India and the world.
Mr Adamjee who spoke with the Daily
paper, Tanzania Daima by phone denied all
the above allegations. He despised all the
followers who he said are spreading wrong
information to the press in order to bring
unrest among the Bohora Community.
Mr Adamjee disagreed that the followers
are forced to contribute large sums of
money instead they are contributing
according to their ability. He further said
there was no money paid to see him at the
airport, to welcome him at any follower's
residences or to travel with him for
hunting.
Mr Adamjee said Dr. Burhanuddin does not
come to Tanzania to collect contributions.
He is a rich man in India and the world in
general. What he does when he visits here
is to bless us only and if there is any house
which he went and that follower paid the
money, prove it! Afterall, when the spiritual
leader paid a courtesy call to President
Kikwete, he contributed USD 10,000 for
Mrs Kikwete's NGO and also contributed
USD 551,000 to our Bohora SACCOS. All
what is being said upon him is not true.
The Bohora followers contribute money
willingly and nobody forces them to do so.
AZAD February 2007 page 3
Bohra women Eid Function
take action 1986 Bohra Reformist Trust ...continued from front page

Annual Report For the year ended 31 March 2006 The Eid function is always a good
Dahod, Rajessthan, India opportunity to meet up with friends and
e have pleasure to present 1. £450 to Dawoodi Bohra Roshan
he following email article was
W a report of the activities of the Khayal Jamat for Jurat Weekly for
family and catch up on news.

T circulated in September 2006.
We are not sure of the date of the events
below, but you will recognise the key
reformist activists that inspired the
action by the women below.
2000 Dawoodi Bohra women against
selling of musallah site in Saifee mosque.
The Cassandra Kothar's castle stands on
the blind belief of their women
followers. And if they start defying its
dictates the dooms day for Kothar is not
far off. It is heartening to note that more
than 2000 Dawoodi Bohra women
openly protested against Aamil and
Jamaat Committee at Saifee mosque
in Dahod.
It all happened with the reopening of
Saifee mosque, which was not used for
a long time under the pretext of
repairing and repainting. The Jamaat
Tanzeem Committee headed by Shaikh
Najmuddin Gangdiwala decided to
reopen the mosque for Namaz and tax
women worshippers for the musallah site
in order to raise funds for repairs. They
issued a circular stating that only those
women that have paid the annual fee of
Rs. 5,200, Rs. 7,200 or Rs. 9,000 would
be allowed to pray in the mosque. As the
leader of the protesters, Juzar Kasidwala
rightly said 'this means only rich who
can afford this amount can pray in the
mosque and the poor can't. This has
never happened before in the Dawoodi
Bohra history."
Trust for the year ended 31 March 2006.
It was in the year 1986 that the above
Trust was established at a conference
of Reformist Bohra Muslims held in
Leicester. The conference was attended
by delegates from India, Pakistan, USA,
Canada and several Muslim countries.
It was there that the first Trustees were
appointed, all from UK in order to
facilitate the smooth administration
of the Trust and communication.
The registered address of the Trust is:
18 Limes Avenue,
London N12 8QN.
There have been changes in the Trustees
due to death and resignation and at
the end of the year the following were
the Trustees.
Fazlehusain Kapasi
Ahmed Ismail Luqmani
Kutbudin Najmudin
Fakrudin Kaderbhai
Saifiddin Husainbhai Yayabali
The main object of the Trust is to
promote and advance the religion of
Islam according to the beliefs of the
reformist Bohra Muslims. During the
year under review the following grants
were made by the Trust:
Please see the copy of the Income and Expenditure Account copyfor full details
publicising our reformist views on
religion and education among the
Urdu speaking section of our
community.
2. £2,500 Faize Aam Trust Aurangabad,
India for providing medical facilities to
deserving Reformist Bohra Muslims.
3. £3,000 Sir Yusufali Sports Club,
Nairobi towards part expenses for
major repairs to the building which is
used for educational purposes for the
benefit of reformist Bohras of Kenya.
4. £4,000 Central Board of Dawoodi
Bohra community for furthrance of
reformist beliefs and ideologies.
The insurance premium paid in respect
of the properties at Birmingham and
Leicester was not reimbursed by the
DBWS till after the end of the year and
therefore it has been shown as a debtor
on the Balance Sheet.
It has been the policy of the Trust to
entertain applications for grants from
societies and organisations and not
from individuals.
Trustee
06.01.07
Approximately 400 people congregated
in Rugby to enjoy the day's events. These
included the President, Moiz Rajabali's
welcome speech and the usual talent
programme showing the wonderful
talents of our young people. Tasleem
Husseinbhai Tayabali and Tariq Kapasi
organised and hosted a great quiz
between the young boys and girls on ■ A warm welcome at registration
Islam which was also enjoyed by the
whole audience.
Muzhair Tayebjee gave a thought
provoking talk on Islam and this was
followed by the master of Bingo callers,
■ Young talent entertain all
Imtiaz Dungarwalla calling out the legs
eleven, two fat ladies and other numbers
for the game in which all 400 people
took part. ■ How do you like my smile?
The day was excellently hosted by
Maryam Patwa, Nawaz Sulemanji and
Nazir Sulemanji. Meeting everyone, good
food and good company made this a
most enjoyable day for all.

The Dahod incident is not the first of its

kind. Protest demonstrations were earlier
held in Rajkot and Madras on the same
issue. The only difference this time
is that the more than 2000 Dawoodi
Bohra took up the courage to come
out in defiance.
As the Committee's circular created
ferment among the locals, a meeting was
called in the mosque in the evening
where the women who protested against
the Committee's decision were abused
and mistreated. This further antagonised
the women who wanted a serious and
healthy discussion on the subject. But
there is no room for democracy and
open discussion in Kothar's scheme of
Reconstruction of old mosques on a
things. They reserve the right to decide
grand scale, selling of musallah sites,
and impose their dictates on the ■ Young ones charm the audience
organising
community. The women of Dahod were
left with no choice but to show their
mega shows of Mohrram vaiz etc has
resentment in public and get public
become an easy and prospective sources
support.
of income for the Kothar which survives
on the exploitation of religious
The brave women of Dahod, greatly
sentiments of its blind followers. There is
inspired by Maimoona bahen
no need for anyone's permission in order
Sanchawala and Zehra Cyclewala,
to fulfil one's religious obligations. The
protested. Though many women later
concept of raza had been introduced
withdrew their support as they feared
during the reign of late Sayedna Taher
excommunication but the fact that they
Saifuddin. Unless Dawoodi Bohras learn
confronted the Aamil and Jamaat
to live without this nothing can change.
Committee members to the extent that
the police had to interfere, is in itself an ■ Moiz Rajabali, President, welcomes everyone ■ Safia and Afra greet everyone
achievement.

page 4 paAZAD February 2007 AZAD February 2007 page 5

In memorium
Abbas Dalal
Dearest Dad
I am sat at your computer typing out what
I wished I could have told you more often
when you were here and that is how very
much I love you.
You were always here for me at every
stage of my life from the very first moment
that you gave me the biggest gift of all, my
life. You made that life the best that any
son could have possibly asked for, I never
wanted for anything and you made every
dream come true.
It is so hard to express all of the wonderful
things that you did for me in your life and I
shall never forget them. Dad, why did you
leave me? I can't tell you how much
I miss you, I feel so empty without you.
I know that we didn't share the same
strength in our religious beliefs, but I take
great comfort in believing now what Islam
taught you, that being that you have
moved on to the next stage of your life.
I pray that you have gone to a wonderful
and beautiful place where never ever again
will you feel any pain. Believing that you
have gone to this place, makes me believe
that you can here what I am saying to you
right now and if you can know that I am
so proud to be your son and I always will
be your son.
Please come and talk to me again,
I wished we'd talked more when you were
here, but please come and see me just you
and me, even if no one else believes that it
could be true, when I switch off the lights
page 6 paAZAD February 2007
at night, I just really what you to come and
tell me that it's all going to be all right
"why, don't worry beta dad's here and I
love you, you need to be strong and look
after mum", which I promise you
I will. So please please come and see me
especially at night when I need you so
much.
There were times when I was quite
irresponsible, maybe I never really grew up,
but that's because you always saw me
through all of the major things in my life,
but now I know I have to do all of those
things myself and I will, I promise, I will
never ever let you down again and I'll
make you proud of me, even though I
knew you were.
Remember, Dad how when I was sick or
couldn't sleep as a child you used to come
in my room and say a prayer and then put
your hand on my head and tell me to go to
sleep and it worked it always did,
even as an adult if you heard that I was
of work with a cold you wanted to come
and see me, I know I was your world and
there was nothing that you wouldn't do for
me, what will I do without you? You
always said your dad is your best friend
and you are and I will always love you.
You don't deserve any more pain, you
never deserved it in the first place, please
be well now and free of pain and know
that I am with you as I know that you are
with me.
I love you so deeply.
Your ever-loving son
Kaiser
From my mum
To my dearest husband friend and partner
Abbas, I do not have words to express how
much I miss you, you were my rock. I
cannot imagine life without you, but on
the other hand I could not bear to see you
suffer anymore after this last few months
you were so brave only you were strong
enough to bear the pain. God bless you
and keep you and free you from all your
pain and troubles. You will be in mine and
Kaiser's hearts forever.
Love forever
Your ever-loving wife
Sheila
For those of you here today who maybe
didn't know my dad very well, I would like
to just say a few words about the kind of
man he was. He was born into severe
poverty, he couldn't even afford shoes for
his feet.
He came to England in 1952 and worked in
the Cadbury's factory in Birmingham by
night and went to university in the day.
He gained a degree in Economics and went
onto build up his business empire.
He had numerous businesses all of which
he made a success of, he showed Indian
films in a cinema in Birmingham, had a
shop which he and my mum ran together,
was involved in the import and export of
textiles amongst other things before
moving to London.
He met my mum whilst working for the
railways in Birmingham and from then on
they worked so hard together to build up
what they have today. After moving to
London he opened a chain of foreign
language schools and this is the business
for which he will be most remembered.
Unfortunately, one thing my dad always
had to fight against was ill health. This is
a man who had his first heart-attack
before I was born in 1969, he then went
on to survive four further heart attacks and
even a mild stroke and throughout all of
this he continued to fight against diabetes.
In 1994 he had heart by pass surgery
which helped to give him a better quality
of life for the last eleven and half years,
and for those years we are truly grateful.
I thank all of the doctors and medical
professionals who took such good care
of him throughout his life and more
importantly my dear mother who went
through every ounce of pain with him and
helped him to have the reasonably long
life he had.
He was a real fighter with such strength of
character. No sooner had he had a heart
attack and he wanted to be back at work,
even the doctors couldn't believe he was
still here when they would hear what he
went through. He was a medical miracle,
the kindest, most giving, generous man
you could have ever wished to meet.
Unfortunately, finally he has lost his battle,
but please I want every one of us here
today to take away with us the memories
of a truly amazing, father, husband, cousin,
uncle and friend. Goodbye Dad, you will
be so very missed.
Sorry we missed you!!
O n the 17th December 2006 a
group of us met in Leicester to attend
a workshop entitled 'Internalised Oppression'.
It was hosted by Jack Guillebeaux, a
renowned personality experienced in dealing
with community and interpersonal issues.
Although only a small number attended,
I think I can say on behalf of all that it was
definitely a worthwhile session.
The day ran smoothly and eventually we had
input from all, as well as the local pizza
parlour. How can a Bohra function do
without!!!?
What did we do?
We had some brainstorming sessions where
everyone had to offer their own personal
visions for the community in the next 5years.
We split into men, women and children so
we could have different perspectives (This
was not a sexist thing!!).
■ Jack inspires and affirms everyone
Social Spiritual
Sports Madrasa
Children Children
Functions
Education D D
Residential D D
What did we come up with?
• Sports/cricket days, Business seminars
• Creating a 'perception of ease' -
making people unafraid to take
responsibility and providing pathways
to allow things to be done easier.
• Increasing motivation
• 'Taking a leaf' - From the book of the
Kothar in terms of pride and
enthusiasm for their community.
• 'The personal touch' - Making phone
calls rather than mail-outs/email.
• Teaching other aspects of religion,
not just Namaaz
• Increase internal marketing
• More teaching- practical, intuitive and
in English
• More regular religious events
• Madrasa- not only for Namaz but
other aspects of religion and culture
• Other social workshops
• More interaction and responsibility for
the youth and children
• A communication chain from children
to adults
• Residentials for religious/social
education
• A childrens' phonebook.
• Fundraising- magazines, website
subscription, sponsored walks, adverts
in Azad, etc.
Next we talked about affirmation.
The point being that affirmation is one
method of motivating and appreciating
efforts of members of the community.
We did this with an interactive session where
we each in turn had the opportunity to give
Activities Communication Fund Raising
Sports Address Book Website Subs
Children Website Walks
Functions Azad Adverts in Azad
D D D
D
■ Now, what's the best plan for our community?
and receive affirmations (positive comments
about character/attributes).
The experience was very difficult, but
rewarding nonetheless. In our society where
such forms of expression are not practiced
most of us found it a struggle to start with
and even a little embarrassing.
When the pink in our cheeks had finally
ebbed away, we moved onto the
practicalities of achieving our collective
visions for the community. We split our goals
and activities into the catagories
in the table below.
What we want from you
We need some feedback about our visions
and some ideas on how we can put these
into action. After some feedback sessions we
want to meet again to discuss how we are
going to achieve these goals. Any ideas big
or small are welcome. If we get enough
response we can achieve anything and
everything…
The power is yours…
Contacts:
Rizwana Laxmidhar -
rlaxmidhar@gmail.com
Aquil Rajabali
rajabali@hotmail.com
Maryam Patwa -
maryampatwa@hotmail.co.uk
AZAD February 2007 page 7